pandemic

Every week more nations get COVID-19 under control, slowing its growth rate. After COVID-19 comes the hit to the world economies. Will it be a deep or shallow decline? Of long or short duration? Will we handle it well or poorly?

COVID-19 is a test for America’s ability to cope with the severe crises that lie ahead in the 21st century. Our prosperity, perhaps our survival, might depend on how well we learn from it. Here I look at the crisis management methods followed by our senior leaders. It’s the key to success – or failure.

COVID-19 revealed two stories about America. First, how the nation best-prepared in January became one of the worst affected. Second, how our reaction to this showed America’s senescence. That is, we have become the equivalent of a cranky old guy – dysfunctional but certain that others cause all his problems.

Industrial revolutions are not one big event. They are many incremental changes with giant effects. Wars and pandemics often accelerate them, changing society unexpectedly with fantastic speed. The shift to working at home is one such change, forced by COVID-19 – changing everything.